April 8, 2026
Los Angeles Kings winger Andrei Kuzmenko (knee) will be re-evaluated in 7-8 days, Alexander Legget of Mayors Manor reports. The Russian forward is recovering from meniscus surgery and was ruled out for the rest of the regular season in early March. However, it looks like he could have a chance to play in next week's regular-season finale against Calgary. The team could really use his help, having struggled to secure a playoff spot. Kuzmenko has produced 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) across 52 games this term.
--Taavi PailkSource: Alexander Legget
April 8, 2026
Minnesota Timberwolves forward
Jaden McDaniels (knee) will play on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic. McDaniels is set to return after missing six consecutive contests due to left knee patella tendinopathy and a bone bruise. Despite
Anthony Edwards (knee),
Julius Randle (hand),
Ayo Dosunmu (rest),
Mike Conley (rest) and
Rudy Gobert (rest) all sidelined, the Timberwolves will likely remain cautious with McDaniels, keeping his minutes restricted tonight in Orlando.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
April 8, 2026
Chicago Cubs right-hander
Colin Rea will enter the team's starting rotation and make the start on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, according to MLB.com. Rea is going to get a chance to prove he deserves a rotation spot with
Matthew Boyd (biceps) and
Cade Horton (elbow) on the injured list (Horton is done for the season). The 35-year-old veteran has made two appearances in relief so far in the early going in 2026, allowing three earned runs on eight hits while walking one, striking out eight, and picking up a save in 6 1/3 innings. Rea has a 19.3% strikeout rate in his career and will likely be limited from a pitch-count perspective on Wednesday in his first start of the year, so we wouldn't recommend him as any kind of streamer against the Rays. At best, Rea will probably end up being a matchup-based streamer in deep fantasy leagues for however long he remains in Chicago's starting rotation.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 8, 2026
Detroit Red Wings forward Mason Appleton (upper body) won't play on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers, Ted Kuflan of the Detroit News reports. He will miss a fourth consecutive game with an upper-body injury and might be unavailable for the rest of the regular-season slate. Appleton has recorded 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 65 games with 63 SOG and 89 hits. Detroit has also just lost Michael Rasmussen (lower body), so Carter Mazur and Dominik Shine could see regular action until the end of the regular season.
--Taavi PailkSource: Ted Kulfan
April 8, 2026
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that shortstop
Anthony Volpe (shoulder) will likely come back with the team after their weekend series in Tampa, and he could "potentially" be sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment at some point next week, according to Erik Boland of Newsday. Volpe played through a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder for the majority of last season before undergoing labrum surgery last October. He has been working out at extended spring training in Florida. If Volpe can avoid any setbacks with his surgically repaired shoulder in minor-league games, he could make his 2026 debut with the Yankees in late April or early May. Until then, the speedy
Jose Caballero will continue to see most of the playing time at the 6 in the Bronx. The 24-year-old Volpe is a career .222/.283/.379 hitter in his three big-league seasons, but he had a 20-20 season as a rookie in 2023, and he's stolen 70 bases in 472 regular-season games played, making him useful as middle-infield depth for fantasy managers in mixed leagues when he's healthy.
--Keith HernandezSource: Newsday - Erik Boland
April 8, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder forward
Jalen Williams (hamstring) is available to suit up for Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Williams will return to the floor after he was held out for hamstring injury management during Tuesday's victory over the Lakers. He finished with 20 points, five rebounds, one assist and two steals across 29 minutes in his last outing against the Clippers on December 18. With the 24-year-old forward back in action,
Ajay Mitchell will likely see less playing time this evening as the team's rotation adjusts to accommodate Williams' return to the lineup.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
April 8, 2026
New York Islanders defenseman Tony DeAngelo (lower body) is expected to be available on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Rachel Luscher of the Islanders' official site reports. He has missed six games due to a lower-body injury but returned to practice on Wednesday, skating with Adam Pelech. The Islanders' playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, and DeAngelo's creative spark could help the team end a four-game skid. He is third on the team with 28 assists and has collected 33 points in 72 appearances. DeAngelo has recorded an assist in both of his encounters with the Maple Leafs this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: Rachel Luscher
April 8, 2026
Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough called it a "possibility" that outfielder
Kyle Stowers (hamstring) will play first base this year, possibly as early as his minor-league rehab assignment, according to Kevin Barral of Fish On First. Stowers is approaching a rehab assignment after going through a workout on Wednesday. The left-handed slugger has never appeared at first base as a professional, but it could be a way for the Fish to keep him healthy for the long run. A right-hamstring strain forced Stowers to the 10-day injured list to begin the 2026 season. The 28-year-old former second-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2019 out of Stanford was the Marlins' lone All-Star representative in 2025 after a breakout campaign that saw him hit .288/.368/.544 with a .912 OPS, 25 home runs, 73 RBI, 61 runs scored, and five steals in 117 games played. Durability is a major concern, but Stowers deserves to be stashed in all fantasy leagues as he looks for an encore in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Fish On First - Kevin Barral
April 8, 2026
San Jose Sharks defenseman John Klingberg will rejoin the lineup on Wednesday against the Edmonton Oilers, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports. After missing time due to an upper-body injury, Klingberg has been a healthy scratch for a couple of games. He last played on March 24. The 33-year-old has appeared in 54 contests this season, recording 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists), 79 SOG, 61 blocks, and 46 hits. Early in the campaign, Klingberg was an effective player for the Sharks, but he's been struggling since the turn of the year. Across his last 11 appearances, Klingberg has made it on the score sheet just two times. Shakir Mukhamadullin will make way for Klingberg in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: Curtis Pashelka
April 8, 2026
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon (lower body) won't dress for Wednesday's matchup with the New York Rangers, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reports. He left the morning skate early due to a lower-body injury. Since Buffalo carries three goaltenders, Lyon wasn't expected to dress anyway on Wednesday. But his injury could force Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff to rethink his plans for the final few regular-season games. Lyon has been impressive in 2025-26, posting a 20-10-4 record, a 2.77 goals-against average, a .907 save percentage, and three shutouts. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is scheduled to start on Wednesday, with Colten Ellis serving as his backup.
--Taavi PailkSource: Matthew Fairburn
April 8, 2026
According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, Minnesota Timberwolves center
Rudy Gobert (rest) won't play against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. The 33-year-old big man will have the backend of a back-to-back set off to rest after closing with five points, 12 rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks across 33 minutes in Tuesday's 124-104 win over Indiana.
Anthony Edwards (knee),
Julius Randle (hand),
Ayo Dosunmu (rest) and
Mike Conley (rest) will also miss tonight's contest.
Naz Reid and
Joan Beringer are slated to have expanded frontcourt workloads this evening.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Jon Krawczynski
April 8, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (middle body) will return from a one-game absence on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals. The Swedish veteran wasn't available for Saturday's contest against L.A. due to a minor middle-body injury. He is expected to take Troy Stecher's spot on the blue line for Wednesday's game. Ekman-Larsson has been one of Toronto's better players during a disappointing season, totaling 38 points (eight goals, 30 assists) in 73 outings. However, he has gone cold offensively late in the season, finishing scoreless in 12 of his last 14 appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
April 8, 2026
Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin hasn't yet decided whether the 2025-26 campaign will be his final NHL season. "We're going to make a decision in the summer," Ovechkin said in an interview posted by the team on social media. The Capitals captain is finishing up a five-year, $47.5 million contract. Despite turning 40 in September, Ovechkin has continued to produce for fantasy managers, scoring 31 goals and 61 points in 78 games. He is only the fourth player in NHL history to score 30-plus goals in a season at age 40 or older.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
April 8, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed reliever
Edwin Uceta (shoulder) will pitch one inning on Friday and on Sunday for Double-A Montgomery on a minor-league rehab assignment before being sent to Triple-A Durham to build his arm up further, according to Ryan Bass. "I'm hopeful just before May 1," manager Kevin Cash said on a possible return timeline. "He didn't have a spring training, so he's gonna get built out, and then it'll kind of decide how we want to navigate."
Griffin Jax began the 2026 season as Tampa's first option for saves with Uceta sidelined, but he quickly blew two saves and has been surpassed by
Bryan Baker for the time being in the closer hierarchy in Tampa. Uceta, who was one of only five relievers with 100-plus strikeouts in 2025, could quickly become the team's closer once he's activated from the 15-day injured list later this month. The Dominican reliever had a sparkling 1.51 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and five saves in 2024 as well, and is one of the most talented arms in the Rays' bullpen.
--Keith HernandezSource: Ryan Bass
April 8, 2026
Detroit Pistons guard
Cade Cunningham (chest) is expected to play Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, per Vincent Goodwill of ESPN.com. Despite still carrying a questionable tag, Cunningham should be upgraded to available soon, as he went through shootaround without any issues. The 24-year-old star guard is averaging 24.5 points, 2.0 three-pointers, 5.6 rebounds, and 9.9 assists in 34.4 minutes across 61 games this season.
Daniss Jenkins and
Marcus Sasser would likely lose usage in Cunningham's return.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Vincent Goodwin
April 8, 2026
Chicago Cubs outfielder
Ian Happ (heel) is out of the starting lineup on Wednesday for a second straight night against the Tampa Bay Rays while dealing with a bruised left heel, according to Taylor McGregor of Watch Marquee Sports. Happ is available off the bench, though, which means he should be able to return to action for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates after an off day on Thursday. With Happ out again,
Michael Conforto will start in left field for the Cubbies and will hit eighth against Rays right-hander
Joe Boyle. Although Happ has already gone deep four times in his first 40 at-bats, he only has eight hits in total (.200 batting average) while driving in seven runs and scoring seven runs for the Cubs. Fantasy managers should check back on Friday to make sure that Happ is back in the lineup before returning him to their starting lineups. Conforto has gone hitless in just two career at-bats against Boyle.
--Keith HernandezSource: Watch Marquee - Taylor McGregor
April 8, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that right-hander
Drew Rasmussen, who is away from the team right now for the birth of his child, could return to the team's starting rotation on Friday against the New York Yankees, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The 30-year-old was scratched from his scheduled outing against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday after his wife went into labor. At the latest, Rasmussen will rejoin the team on Saturday for the weekend series against the Yankees. After being named an All-Star for the first time in his career in 2025, Rasmussen is off to a good start in 2026 after two starts, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits (two homers) while walking just one and striking out 10 in 10 innings pitched. Rasmussen is looking to take the next step in his seventh year in the big leagues, but he'll have a pretty big challenge on his hands against New York in his third start of the season after he comes off the paternity list.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
April 8, 2026
Kansas City Royals left-hander
Cole Ragans (thumb) "should be good" going forward after suffering a left-thumb contusion in his start on Wednesday versus the Cleveland Guardians, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. It sounds as though the Royals avoided the worst with Ragans after he was hit by a comebacker off the bat of
Jose Ramirez in the first inning. He initially stayed in the game, but his thumb proved to be too stiff for him to continue, so the Royals pulled him as a precaution. The 28-year-old southpaw was charged with three earned runs while walking one and striking out two in just two-thirds of an inning on Wednesday. It's great news for Ragans, who made only 13 starts in 2025 due to injuries after his All-Star campaign in 2024. Ragans struck out 223 hitters in 32 starts for the Royals in 2024, and he's a prime bounce-back candidate this year if he can manage to stay healthy. His next scheduled start will come against the division-rival Detroit Tigers next Tuesday on the road.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
April 8, 2026
Atlanta Braves right-hander
Reynaldo Lopez has been suspended for seven games for his role in a brawl with Los Angeles Angels designated hitter
Jorge Soler during Tuesday night's game, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. After Lopez threw a pitch up and in during the fifth inning, Soler charged the mound, with both players throwing haymakers as the benches cleared at Angels Stadium. Both Soler and Lopez will appeal their suspensions, which means they'll be eligible to play until the league hears their suspensions. Lopez will likely end up missing one turn through Atlanta's rotation. Lopez, who only made one start in 2025 due to a shoulder injury, has been great in his three starts this year, allowing four runs (two earned) while walking five and striking out 13 in 15 2/3 frames. The 32-year-old veteran's next scheduled start will come on Monday against the Miami Marlins, so fantasy managers will be hoping his suspension doesn't kick in before that start.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
April 8, 2026
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter
Jorge Soler has been suspended for seven games for brawling with Atlanta Braves right-hander
Reynaldo Lopez on Tuesday night, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Soler took exception to a pitch up and in from Lopez in the fifth inning and charged the mound before throwing punches in a benches-clearing brawl. Until Soler's appeal is heard by the league, he'll be eligible to play for the Angels, including in Wednesday's contest against Atlanta at Angels Stadium. The 32-year-old veteran right-handed power hitter is slated to start in right field and bat cleanup for the Halos in Wednesday's series finale against Braves right-hander
Grant Holmes. To begin his second season in Anaheim, Soler heads into Wednesday's action sporting a .220 average (9-for-41) with two home runs, 10 RBI, and seven runs scored in 12 games played. Keep Soler in your starting lineups for now until his suspension kicks in.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
April 8, 2026
Houston Astros right-hander
Cristian Javier (shoulder) was removed from his start early on Wednesday at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies with "right-shoulder tightness," according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. In his one inning of work before hitting the showers early, Javier allowed an earned run on three hits while walking none and striking out one.
AJ Blubaugh, who took over for Javier in this contest, will be a top candidate to enter Houston's starting rotation if Javier's injury is serious enough to send him to the 15-day injured list. The 29-year-old Dominican is off to a rough start to the 2026 season, as he has allowed 12 earned runs on 10 hits (two homers) while walking nine and striking out only three in 8 1/3 innings in his two starts before Wednesday's outing in Denver. Javier made only eight starts for the 'Stros in 2025 in his return from Tommy John surgery in 2024, so injuries have been an issue.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
April 8, 2026
Houston Astros outfielder
Jake Meyers (side) was removed from Wednesday's game early against the Colorado Rockies with "lower-back tightness," according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Meyers suffered the injury in the second inning and was pulled in favor of
Brice Matthews. For now, fantasy managers should consider Meyers to be day-to-day until we know more. If his injury is significant, Matthews and
Joey Loperfido would both be candidates to see more playing time in center field for Houston. Meyers hit a career-best .292 in 104 games in 2025 for the Astros, but he's mostly a defense-first player in center field. In 11 games to open the year going into Wednesday's contest at Coors Field, Meyers had gone 9-for-37 (.243) with a homer, four RBI, five runs scored, and one stolen base.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
April 8, 2026
Penn State quarterback
Drew Allar struggled with accuracy and played in only six games in 2025 due to a fractured left ankle, but ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that some NFL scouts still "see major upside" in Allar. He previously garnered first-round buzz thanks to his 6-foot-5 frame and big arm, but it's tough to project where he'll go in the 2026 NFL draft because of his abbreviated final season with the Nittany Lions. "He's my favorite quarterback in the draft outside of Mendoza," an NFL coordinator said. "In the right system, he can be great. He's got everything as far as tools. His footwork is an absolute mess. But improve his footwork, and he can take off. He deserved better than what he got at Penn State." If Allar lands in the right spot with a coordinator that can improve his footwork, Allar could be a nice dynasty/keeper target if you miss out on
Fernando Mendoza or
Ty Simpson.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
April 8, 2026
ESPN's Adam Schefter recently said that he expects Alabama quarterback
Ty Simpson to be a first-rounder in the 2026 NFL draft, but ESPN's Jeremy Fowler says that enough scouts have a second-round grade on him to make him an early Day 2 possibility. Simpson's draft stock is all over the map, as he's expected to go anywhere from No. 10 overall to No. 30 in the first round. The primary concern is his lack of experience, as he didn't become a starter at Alabama until his senior season in 2025. He played well early on last year but struggled late, ultimately finishing with 3,567 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and only five interceptions in 15 games played. Nobody is really expecting Simpson to come in right away in the NFL and be great, and one veteran NFL scout called Simpson "a mix between
Jared Goff and
Mac Jones." Simpson made "a lot of NFL throws" at Alabama, which will help his development at the next level, but fantasy managers in redraft leagues shouldn't expect him to be in play as a starter in 2026, even in superflex leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
April 8, 2026
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken said he was "fired up" about the team's quarterback competition after the start of the voluntary offseason program this week, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. "You couldn't ask for a better start for the quarterbacks," Monken added.
Shedeur Sanders,
Deshaun Watson (Achilles), and
Dillon Gabriel are in the team's QB room with the NFL draft coming up in a few weeks. Sanders and Watson, who is recovering from a twice-torn Achilles tendon, will be competing for the starting job under center this summer. The Browns aren't tipping their hand as to who has the edge, but with Watson's contract expiring after the 2026 season, it makes sense for the Browns to give second-year QB Sanders the first shot at starting this fall. Sanders fell all the way to the fifth round in last year's draft, but he ended up making seven starts while throwing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Whoever wins the job in Cleveland will be considered a low-end QB2 option in superflex fantasy leagues with a questionable Browns receiving corps.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
April 8, 2026
Former Texas A&M wide receiver
KC Concepcion is on a visit on Wednesday with the Cleveland Browns, a source told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. The Browns are expected to be very interested in taking Ohio State receiver
Carnell Tate with the sixth overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft, but if they don't, Concepcion could be in play with the 24th overall pick later in the first round. Concepcion will also have top-30 pre-draft visits with the Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders, two other teams desperate for wideout depth going into the 2026 season. In his final collegiate season and first with the Aggies in 2025, Concepcion caught 61 passes for a career-high 919 yards and an SEC-high nine receiving touchdowns in 13 games played. His elite playmaking abilities -- he also had a rushing touchdown and two TDs as a kick returner on special teams -- would make him a candidate to push for a WR2 role immediately in Cleveland in 2026 if he is selected by the Browns.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
April 8, 2026
Updating a previous report, Kansas City Royals left-hander
Cole Ragans (thumb) was diagnosed with a left-thumb contusion after leaving his start early on Wednesday against the Cleveland Guardians after he was hit in the throwing hand by a comebacker off the bat of third baseman
Jose Ramirez in the first inning, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. The 28-year-old southpaw appears to have avoided a serious injury, but he could still have his next turn in the starting rotation skipped as a precaution. Before leaving, Ragans was unfortunately charged with three earned runs on two hits while walking one and striking out two in two-thirds of an inning pitched. If the Royals clear Ragans to make his next start, he's scheduled to face the division-rival Detroit Tigers next week. If he can avoid further injuries, Ragans has a good chance to bounce back in 2026 for fantasy managers.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
April 8, 2026
Colorado Rockies first baseman
TJ Rumfield stayed hot at the plate on Tuesday, going 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in the 5-1 win over the Astros. He's got back-to-back multi-hit efforts and has hit safely in eight of the 10 games he's started. The 6-foot-5 slugger is now batting .389 with two home runs, seven RBI, and six runs scored, along with better-than-average strikeout (17.5 percent) and walk rates (10.0 percent), good for a .478 wOBA and 191 wRC+. The left-handed slugger hit for average (.285) and power (16 home runs) last year at Triple-A in the Yankees' organization, with similar strikeout and walk rates, so this isn't totally out of nowhere for the Virginia Tech product. However, with a high BABIP of .444, along with an xBA of .287 and xwOBA of .369, there could be some regression coming. Still, with the skills he's shown and playing half of his games at Coors Field, there are plenty of reasons for the 25-year-old to be rostered in deeper leagues; he's available in 95 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
April 8, 2026
The Houston Texans picked up the 2027 fifth-year option on All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson on Wednesday, a source told ESPN's Field Yates. Anderson will be due $21.512 million in 2027, and he's now extension-eligible. Picking up Anderson's fifth-year option was a no-brainer after he produced 23 sacks in the last two seasons. The 24-year-old was taken with the third overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft out of Alabama, and he has emerged as a high-end pass-rusher for a strong Texans defense. In 17 regular-season games in 2025, Anderson had a career-high 54 tackles (35 solo), a career-high 12 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, 23 QB hits, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown). Going into his fourth year in the NFL, the two-time Pro Bowler will once again be a popular defensive-line target in IDP fantasy formats. Anderson finished as the No. 6 defensive lineman in IDP formats in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Field Yates
April 8, 2026
The Houston Texans exercised the 2027 fifth-year option on quarterback
C.J. Stroud on Wednesday, a source told Field Yates of ESPN. Stroud is now due $25.904 million next season and is extension-eligible. Despite another disappointing season in 2025 in his third year in the league, the Texans remain committed to the former second overall pick in 2023 out of Ohio State. The 24-year-old signal-caller really impressed as a rookie, throwing for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only five interceptions in his 15 starts. However, he has come back down to Earth over the last two years, and Houston's porous offensive line hasn't helped his cause. In 14 regular-season starts in 2025, Stroud completed a career-high 64.5% of his pass attempts, but that led to a career-low 3,041 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight picks. Better offensive-line play and Year 2 leaps from wideouts
Jayden Higgins and
Jaylin Noel will be needed for Stroud to bounce back into QB1 territory for fantasy football purposes.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Field Yates
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